Fact Sheet: Waste Reduction in the Commercial Printing Industry

A Fact Sheet from the Virginia Waste Management Program on waste reduction in the commercial printing industry.

Waste Reduction for the Commercial Printing Industry

Introduction

The commercial printing industry generates hazardous waste as a result of its operations. The Virginia Department of Waste Management regulates the generation, treatment. storage, transport and disposal of hazardous waste throughout the state. The Department is committed to reducing hazardous waste generated to the greatest extent possible. As part of this effort, studies investigating alternative management strategies to reduce hazardous waste have been completed. This fact sheet introduces the hazardous waste audit study conducted specifically for the commercial printing industry. Many companies today have Incorporated these options into their overall operations and are saving money on hazardous waste management costs while protecting their workers and the environment.

Wastestreams Typical of the Commercial Printing Industry:

Waste photochemical solutions and films (for example, some negative developers for lithography are classified as hazardous as products and may also be hazardous as wastes under state regulations.)

Waste Reduction Incentives

Hazardous waste reduction can be an effective, economic way to reduce hazardous waste management costs. In some instances, waste reduction may require some initial capital investment, but many companies have shown that even in the short term, they may quickly recover these 'up-front costs' when hazardous waste management and liability costs are reduced. Other advantages include:

Reduced tax burden from generator fees, land disposal fees, and taxes

A safer workplace for employees

Reduced compliance requirements

Reduced threat to the environment

Improved corporate image in the community.

Waste Reduction Requirements

Both state (Virginia Department of Waste Management Section 6.5.B. 1) and federal (Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 262, Subpart D) laws and regulations require that generators of hazardous waste file a biennial generator's report. Among other things, this report must include a description of the efforts undertaken, during the reporting period, to reduce the volume and toxicity of wastes generated.

The Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest requires that large quantity generators (those generating greater than 2,200 pounds of hazardous waste in a calendar year) certify that they 'have a program in place to reduce the volume and toxicity of waste generated' and that they have selected the "most practicable method of treatment, storage, disposal currently available...which minimizes the present and future threat to human health and the environment." Small quantity generators (those who generate greater than 220 pounds but less than 2.200 pounds per month of federally designated hazardous waste) must certify that they have made a 'good faith effort to minimize waste generation and have selected the best affordable waste management method available.'

Waste Reduction Alternatives

What can you do to reduce hazardous wastes at your shop? Start with good operating practices!

Management Commitment

An important aspect of any waste reduction program is management commitment. Commitment shows employees that managers place a high priority on waste reduction. For example, a conspicuously posted shop policy, signed by top management. that requires waste reduction will aid in making waste minimization a critical part of all day-to-day activities. All employees must be encouraged to participate in reducing wastes to the greatest extent possible.

Also, if an employee is placed in charge of identifying ways to reduce wastes, he or she must be given the cooperation, by both employees and management, necessary to implement changes in shop operations.

Employee Awareness

Hazardous waste reduction efforts should be emphasized to each employee, from the general manager to machinery operators.

Employee suggestions should be encouraged through a merit program or some other type of incentive.

Good Housekeeping

Segregate wastes to increase recyclability.

Keep careful records of inventory control. Implement a 'first-in. first-out' policy of chemical product use. Do not order more than can be used within the shelf life of the product. Label contents and expiration dates should be legible.

Designate one person, usually the shipping and receiving clerk, to manage raw materials for proper inventory control to ensure that hazardous substances are properly contained and labeled, and to confirm that a Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is on file.

If materials have exceeded their shelf life, check on alternative uses before discarding. Consider contacting nearby theater groups or college graphic arts department to donate expired materials for their programs. Also. buy from a manufacturer that win accept materials back if shelf life is exceeded.

Minimize spills and use dry methods for cleanup wherever possible. If a spill of a hazardous substance occurs, use an absorptive material to soak it up, and dispose of it in accordance with all local. state, and federal regulations.

Monitor press performance continuously to minimize bad runs and waste. Detectors and other equipment are commercially available for this purpose.

In larger businesses, make sure hazardous waste-generating departments are billed for management, compliance and disposal costs incurred by their activities. Hazardous waste management costs covered under a general expense fund do not give specific departments an incentive to reduce their wastes.

Be innovative in trying new procedures and products.

Find ways to use paper. Make notepads, poster paper or other products from extra paper. Recycle all paper waste or donate it to schools and churches. Recycle aluminum plates, negatives, and any other silver laden paper.

Linage Processing

Silver compounds are classified as hazardous wastes under state and federal law if liquid wastes exceed five milligrams per liter of silver at a pH of 5.0. If process baths are discharged into the sewer, a permit by the local sanitation department is usually required. Concentrations of silver-contaminated wastewater must be maintained below local limits established by each sewering agency.

Ways to Manage Silver

Eliminate it by using silver-free films. Some silverless products are vesicular, diazo and electrostatic films. Photopolymer films contain carbon black as a substitute for silver. Recover silver from fixing baths and have a commercial recycler pick it up. Purchase a silver recovery unit and recycle fixer on premises. Add ammonium thiosulfate to silver-contaminated baths to extend the allowable buildup of silver.

Process Baths

Use an acid stop bath prior to the fixing bath. This action reduces the effect of an alkaline developer on the fixing bath pH. Add acetic acid to the fixing bath, which will keep the pH low to maximize soluble complexes.

Use floating lids on bleach and developer containers to keep them fresh.

Install waterless paper and film developing units to reduce the volume of fixer waste. Segregate fixer from developer waste.

Substitute non-hazardous raw materials for hazardous materials whenever possible. Install electronic imaging and/or laser platemaking. By editing on a video terminal, the need for photographing and re-shooting can be reduced. This alternative is costly, so make sure the payback period is evaluated before purchase.

Employ countercurrent rather than parallel rinse techniques. Countercurrent rinsing means water from previous rinsing is used in the initial Mm washing stage. Fresh water enters the process at the final rinse stage, at which point much of the contamination is already rinsed off the film.

Protect process baths that spoil easily by keeping them containerized. Small scale photo developers can containerize process baths and use glass marbles to bring the liquid level to the brim each time the liquid is used.

Use personal computers with commercial publishing capabilities to allow the user to set up and edit jobs before going to print. Materials, time. and waste are reduced from draft to final product.

Plate Processing

Alternative plates include:

Pre-sensitized lithographic - Some solutions resulting from these plates can be discharged to the industrial sewer with written authorization or permit from the sanitation district. Water based solutions are currently available and widely used. The plates can be sold to an aluminum recycler.

Plastic or photopolymer - Generally these plates are processed with a water based solution containing little or no hazardous waste.

Flexographic

Electrostatic - Paper plates made directly from artwork are used on copier/duplicator presses and eliminate several process steps.

In addition, hot metal can be remelted or sold to a recycler.

Printing and Finishiin

Inks

Many clients would use less hazardous products if given the choice. provided that product quality is not compromised. Inform clients of specific inks that are recyclable or not hazardous and provide samples that illustrate finished products. Encourage clients to select these materials.

The composition of inks varies widely. Some inks contain chemicals that would be classified as hazardous; other chemicals do not. Inks frequently get their color from the metals or hazardous pigments they contain. Inks containing metals and/or those inks using a solvent carrier are often classified as hazardous. It is the responsibility of shop owners to determine whether the inks used in their operations are hazardous. For assistance in making this determination, review the container label and the MSDS or ask your ink distributor.

Most inks may be recycled: spent inks of different colors are often blended to make black ink. For smaller print shops, consider coordinating with larger plants or newspapers (ones that use rubber or oil based ink) to recycle ink. These businesses usually recycle their inks on-site or ship them off-site in bulk shipments. Also consider purchasing inks from a distributor who will take or buy back unused or spent inks.

Waste Reduction Alternatives for

Fill ink fountains only enough for a particular run or shift. Return all unemulsified to their containers. Install automatic ink levelers in large web presses to keep ink fountains at their optimal level for good print quality.

Run similar jobs simultaneously to reduce waste generation between cleanup and start of the next run.

Use water based inks whenever possible to decrease the use of solvent based inks that cause employee and environmental hazards.

Clean ink fountains only when changing colors or when the ink might dry out between runs to reduce waste ink generation. Fountains can be left with ink overnight if sprayed with special non-drying aerosol materials.

Dedicate one press for inks containing hazardous pigments or solvents.

Save old inks and market as 'house colors.'

Donate unemulsified inks to trade schools, colleges, etc.

Advantages of Water-Based Inks (flexographic and gravure processes)

Often classified as non-hazardous

No special air pollution control equipment required for emissions

Less toxic to employees

Reduced disposal cost.

Advantages of Ultraviolet Inks

Dry quickly when exposed to ultraviolet light

May remain in ink fountains for long periods without drying

Eliminate 'set off.' thus avoiding the need for anti-offset sprays

Eliminate ventilated storage of sheets during oxidative drying.

Advantages of Electron Beam Drying (EB) (used on web presses)

Similar in use to ultraviolet inks Uses less solvent than heat-set inks.

Isopropyl Alcohol

Use a fountain solution that contains low concentrations of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or one containing no IPA. IPA emissions can cause air pollution problems and may require the installation of pollution control equipment. Substitutes are available. Operation adjustments may be required to make low-IPA solutions work well, but the alternative cost of air pollution control equipment installation can make the effort economically worthwhile.

Waste Solvents

Rags become contaminated with ink and solvent. Depending on the solvent used, contaminated, non-saturated rags may not be considered hazardous wastes by the federal and state government if they are laundered and reused. However, contaminated rags to be disposed may be considered hazardous. These disposable rags must be stored separately from municipal trash and transported according to hazardous waste regulations.

Use soap or detergent solutions wherever possible. Employ solvents only for cleaning inks and oil.

Employ specially made blanket washes that do not contain hazardous materials.

Use small solvent recovery systems currently on the market, which work well.

Employ acetic acid based cleaners, which are less toxic than other solvents.

Waste Lubricating Oils

Used lubricating oils should be analyzed to determine if they must be managed as hazardous waste.

(This Waste Reduction Fact Sheet was reprinted with permission from the California Department of Health Services, Toxic Substances Control Program, Alternative Technology Division. Modifications have been made to tailor this fact sheet for use in Virginia.)

This Waste Reduction Fact Sheet is provided as a service of the Virginia Waste Minimization Program, a technical assistance program of the Virginia Department of Waste Management.